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Ruby Variables

A variable is a name that holds a value. A program can use the value by writing the name.

Store a value and print it

The = sign stores the text Ana in the variable name. The puts line prints the stored value.

name = "Ana"
puts name

A number in a variable

A variable can hold a number too. The puts line prints the number stored in score.

score = 42
puts score

Change the value

The name stays the same here. A new value replaces the old value, and the second print shows it.

name = "Ana"
puts name
name = "Mina"
puts name

Two variables in one program

Each variable holds its own value. The two puts lines print the values in order.

city = "Oslo"
age = 30
puts city
puts age

Example

name = "Ana"
city = "Oslo"
puts name
puts city
name = "Mina"
puts name

Key points

  • A variable holds a value under a name.
  • Use = to store a value in a variable.
  • Variable names use snake_case in this course.
  • snake_case joins words with underscores and uses small letters.
  • A variable can hold a new value in place of the old one.
  • Writing the name where a value is needed uses the stored value.

In this example, name holds Ana and city holds Oslo. The first two puts lines print those values. name then stores Mina, and the last puts line prints Mina.

Note

A variable needs no type word before its name.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated

Exercise

Which line stores the number 5 in a variable named score?